Fusconaia masoni
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_pigtoe
Overview
A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.
Fusconaia masoni faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and sedimentation in its river systems. Dam construction and water diversions have altered natural flow regimes essential for this mussel's reproductive cycle, while invasive zebra mussels compete for resources and attach to native shells, often causing mortality.
Habitat
This freshwater mussel inhabits clean, flowing rivers and streams with stable gravel and sand substrates in the Mississippi River basin. It requires well-oxygenated waters with specific fish hosts for its larval stage, typically found in medium to large river systems with moderate current flow.
